Panaji: Chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant has sought a grant of Rs 300 crore for the exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier, scheduled later this year, from the centre.
Sawant was participating in the pre-budget meeting chaired by Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday in New Delhi.
The chief minister’s office said on Saturday that during the pre-budget meeting, the CM stressed the need for a grant of Rs 300 crore for the decennial exposition of relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa.
The exposition is scheduled to be held between November, 21 2024 to January 5, 2025. This event is held once in a ten years which is attended by lakhs of pilgrims from across the world. The relics of the Christian Saint are preserved at the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa.
Presenting other demands, the chief minister, who also holds the State Finance Portfolio, demanded Rs 700 crore for water augmentation projects and financial support for the Konkan Railway to strengthen connectivity and economic growth in the state.
“The chief minister said that these initiatives are essential for Goa’s development, and he expressed certainty that they will be included in the upcoming Union Budget 2024-2025,” the CMO said.
